FOUR men who appeared before Chief Magistrate, Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on Tuesday to answer several charges in connection with an armed robbery they allegedly committed at South Amelia’s Ward, Linden, besides unlawful possession of a firearm, and they were all refused bail. Three of them, Ruel Williams, 32, of Lot 657 Industrial Area, McKenzie, Wesley Griffith, 19, of Lot 283 Thomas Street and Nellon Brummel, a 27-year-old porter of Lot 27 Lower Kara Kara, all of Linden, were not required to plead to six robbery charges.
Particulars of the charge said on Friday, January 31, at South Amelia’s Ward, Linden, being armed with a gun they robbed Martina Ramdehol of $400,000 cash.
The second charge stated that on the same day, they robbed Nafeeza Ramdehol of one gold ring, one gold chain and a Blackberry cellular phone, together valued at $107,000.
The third charge said that on the same day they robbed Koolali Ramdehol of two gold rings valued at $50,000.
The fourth charge said they robbed Daveanand Ramdehol of one motor car with licence plate PRR 4501, two gold rings and one gold chain, together valued at $3,405,000.
The fifth charge said they robbed Lalta Ramdehol of a quantity of jewellery, among other items, together valued at $228,000.
The sixth charge said they robbed Ryan Ramdehol of a quantity of items which included gold jewellery and cellular phones valued in excess of $600,000.
Griffith was also charged with Clifton Orina of Lot 280 McKenzie, Linden, and they were not required to plead to the indictable offence that said on Sunday, February 2 at Thomas Street, McKenzie, Linden, they had one shotgun and three live cartridges, without being holders of a firearm licence.
Police Inspector Michael Grant, prosecuting, said all the virtual complainants reside in the same home at Lot 775 South Amelia’s Ward, Linden. He said it is alleged that around 20:13 hrs that day they were all at home, when Griffith, Brummel and Williams, were armed with a shotgun and demanded the articles mentioned in the particulars of the offences.
They made good their escape with the car belonging to Daveanand Ramdehol. Police acting on information retrieved the car and further investigations led to the arrest of Griffith and Brummel. They gave the police information which led to the number three accused (Williams) and one the VC’s cellular phones was found in his possession.
The prosecutor said that on Sunday, Griffith told the police during interrogation that he gave the shotgun to Orina, and it was recovered at his home. In addition, the prosecutor said a wanted bulletin was issued for Griffith over a robbery matter on the East Coast of Demerara. He also has a series of pending matters before another court. In these circumstances, the prosecutor asked that bail be refused, citing the prevalence of the offence and the fact that a gun was used. The weapon was retrieved during investigations.
Attorney-at-law, Mr. Gordon Gilhuys representing Griffith and Willaims said that Griffith had complained of being beaten by the police. The lawyer pointed to his client’s forehead, abdomen, hands, scrotum and knee that have visible marks and matter oozing from his ears. Gilhuys said he was instructed by his client that four officers, whose names were given, had caused him to suffer the injuries.
Griffith said he asked the police to take him to the hospital but until now he has not been seen by any doctor.
Counsel said neither of his clients has any pending matter or prior conviction and he further argued that there is no evidence that the firearm was found on Griffith and Orina.
The prosecutor informed the court that Brummel had a previous matter of a similar nature, but the defence counsel in response said he represented Brummel in his previous matter at Christianburg Court, arguing that he was charged with simple larceny and it is of a different nature and has nothing to do with a robbery.
The defendants were remanded to prison and the cases were transferred to Christianburg Court for February 11.
Written By Geeta Rampersaud